Can-opening instrument.



W. H. ARNOLD. CAN OPENING INSTRUMENT.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 19 13.

1,095,369. Patented Ma 5, 1914.

witnesses MQMAM a means for more easily opening the cans I characters of reference on the drawings, the

wILLIAm H. ARNOLD, or

srooxron, cau'roimm.

.can ornnme insraimanr.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 17, 1913. Serial No. 768,265.

Patented May 5, i914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. AnNoLp, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stockton, inthe county of San J oaquln, State of California, have invented cert-am new and useful Improvements in Can-Opening Instruments; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertalns to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this application.

This invention relates to improvements in can opening instruments and is especially adapted to supplant the present form of slotted key used for opening cans prov1ded with proj'ecting lips, the slot 1n wh ch key is closed at both ends and necessitates the using of a separate key for each can, since the key cannot be disengaged from the cover of the can after the same is removed from the can.

My invention provides a means whereby one instrument may be used for opening an indefinite number of cans and also provides and an immediate and prompt removal of the key from the cover when the cover is removed from the can.

Figure 1- is afro nt elevation of the complete instrument. Fig. 2 is a sectional v ew taken on a line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 1s a view of a modi'fie d form of instrument from that which is shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the numeral 1 designates the handle of the instrument and the instrument proper comprises a plate or blade 2- suitably fitted into the handle 1 and provided in its lower end with acut-in slot 3. The edges of the member 2 taper from the handle member gradually down to the end at which is located the slot 3. The blade 2 ma be provided on one side at one edge wit a curved shoulder 4 and on the other side and at the opposite edge with a curved sho'ulder 5 and at the upper end of the member 2 is an annular ring or flange 6.

In practice the instrument is used by 'inserting the projecting lip of the cover of the can into the slot 3 and then the instrument is turned in such a manner as will unseal the top of the can around the member 2 in' the usual manner which will permit the top of the can to be completely removed; then by working the instrument slightly in the reverse direction, this will loosen the wound tin on the instrument and then by reason of the tapered sides of the member 2 and the opened end of the slot 3 the instrument may be withdrawn from engagement with the cover of the can and is ready for further use.-

The curved sides 4 and 5 ring 6 engaging the edges ofthe can when the opening operation is first commenced permits of the initial breaking away of the cover of the can more easily than if such elements were not present, although the instrument can be used without these elements if desired.

Fig. 3 shows the appear without the As can be read slot 3 and the tapered sides of the member 2 I have overcome the objection in the use of the closed slots in the keys now commonly employed and produced an instrument capable of repeated use in the opening of cans.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have roduced such a device as substantially ful s the object of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to seinstrument as it would said elements 4, 5 and 6. ily seen, by having the opened cure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described comprising a handle member, a flat blade on and the annular.

said handle member having a slot cut in- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature wardly from its outer end, a curved shoulder in presence of two witnesses.

on one side of said blade at one edge thereof,

a curved shoulder on the other side of said WILLIAM H. ARNOLD. .5 blade and at the opposite edge thereof, there 3 being a portion of the fiat surface of said Witnesses:

blade disposed between each of said curved JOSHUA B. WEBSTER,

shoulders and said slot, as described CLARENCE M. SMITH. 

